Wimbledon Visit
Town Centre
THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PARTY
FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 9AM-8PM
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Enjoy a fun-packed day full of music, entertainment, demonstrations, and masterclasses PLUS indulge in tasty treats and merry tipples which are guaranteed to fill you with festive cheer!
EXCLUSIVE FOR REWARDS CUSTOMERS
16 St. George’s Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4DP elyswimbledon elyswimbledon elyswimbledon.co.uk
*exclusions apply. See in-store for details
Experience the Magic of Christmas in Wimbledon
Craig Hurring, CEO of Love Wimbledon on the joys of Christmas in SW19
How is Wimbledon Town Centre celebrating the festive season?
The heart of Wimbledon will be transformed this Christmas in a brilliant five week celebration on the theme of Sugar, Spice and All Things Ice. There will be an ever-changing Christmas Market on The Piazza every weekend. Wimbledon Quarter’s spectacular indoor ice rink is twice the size of last year’s. With sparkling illuminations, two massive trees, festive menus in the restaurants and the shops full of gifts, not to mention the pantomime, films and shows at our theatres and cinemas, SW19 is the unmissable place to be for a Christmas season full of wonder and delight. There is so much to see and do!
Tell me more! When does the fun begin? Hold the date for Saturday 23 November when the celebrations are launched in a day of festive entertainment. The magical voices of Rock Choir Wimbledon will warmly open our Christmas event at 11.30am. Riverside Radio will be broadcasting all day, and shoppers will be regaled with performances by local choirs and dance groups - come and cheer them on! Street performers will be mingling with the crowd, from the Snow Queen to Christmas puddings, and maybe you’ll glimpse a famous theatre face or two… Or strike a pose at the festive Instagrammable spots in Wimbledon. There’s more to come too! Be sure to visit LoveWimbledon.org for updates.
I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet…
Fear not, we have your Christmas present shopping all wrapped up for you. Up to 27 local traders will be selling hot food, mulled wine and unique, handmade gifts at Love Wimbledon’s Christmas Market on The Piazza, with new stalls each week. Elys department store has expanded its Toys and Games department and is opening its Christmas shop packed with everything you’ll need to make Christmas special from exquisite decorations to food and drink gifts. Aubergine Art is the place for stunning art presents, while Neptune has the perfect festive finishing touches for your home and your Christmas dinner table.
How about Christmas activities?
Who cares if the weather outside is frightful, when Wimbledon Quarter has laid on a spectacular 20m x 14m real ice rink indoors? Bookings are open, with earlybird discounts, family times and ‘calm and quiet’ sessions so that everyone can take part - your skate fun will help support St George’s Hospital’s ‘Time for a Change’ children’s appeal. If you’re feeling adventurous you can go bouldering at The Boardroom Climbing, and try fun, interactive golf games at The Golf Groove - for serious golfers they have exclusive courses. Or raise your voice at the Christmas singalong concert at New Wimbledon Theatre on 20 December.
What’s on the food and drinks scene?
A host of Christmas street food stalls will set your mouth watering, and wait till you see the Christmas menus in Wimbledon Town Centre’s fantastic restaurants, from exotic Tampopo and Sticks’n’Sushi, to the contemporary chic of 601 Queen’s Rd. At Bombay Delight they are mixing Indian fine dining with British festive cooking - yum! Cosy and firelit, The Alex is o ering its superb gastropub Christmas menu; at The Old Frizzle you can choose live music and a good old-fashioned Christmas party as well as a sit-down meal, while the refurbished Prince of Wales is the perfect spot for a family feast.
And where can I go for a night out?
The fun continues (oh, yes, it does) at Jack and the Beanstalk at New Wimbledon Theatre, with Alexandra Burke and comic legend Joe Pasquale. A Christmas Carol casts its traditional spell at the Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre. Wimbledon’s brilliant children’s theatre, Polka Theatre, has turned The Nutcracker into a magical, musical quest for the whole family. Wimbledon’s two multiscreens, the Curzon and the Odeon, are showing festive blockbusters from Paddington in Peru, Wicked and Moana II to the new live action Mufasa: The Lion King, and live-streaming the Royal Ballet’s Cinderella
What’s On THIS CHRISTMAS
LOVE WIMBLEDON
For more about Christmas in Wimbledon Town Centre, visit LoveWimbledon.org
Elys Christmas Shopping Party
8 NOVEMBER Elys
Polka Theatre Performances
THE NUTCRACKER 16 November - 26 January
THE SNOWY DAY 6 December - 2 February
Plus, THE BIG BASH FAMILY VIP PARTY, 8 December.
Ice Skating at Wimbledon Quarter
16 NOVEMBER - 5 JANUARY
Wimbledon Quarter
Wimbledon Christmas Market WEEKENDS, 23 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER The Piazza, SW19
Wimbledon Winterfest SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER
New Wimbledon Theatre Performances
A CHRISTMAS CAROL 28 November - 7 December
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK PANTOMIME 7 December - 5 January
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 11 December - 24 December
CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG CONCERT 20 December
Visit
for even more things to do, great restaurants, shopping and more!
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COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
By Helen Canning, Elys Personal Shopper
Gift buying at Christmas can often feel overwhelming, especially when trying to find the perfect present for everyone. To ease the stress, planning ahead is key; make a list and, as the big man himself does, check it twice! Next, join me and the team at Elys’ Christmas Shopping Party on Friday 8th November where Rewards customers will receive 20% off almost everything in-store. It’s the perfect time to work through that list and get organised.
Now you have your main list in order, it’s time to think about advent calendars. Gone are the days when a simple chocolate behind a door would cut it and nowadays they are definitely not just for the children. We are spoilt for choice with versions tailored to nearly any interest for all ages, from beauty products and miniature spirits to lego and of course, luxury chocolate options. But it’s important to get in quick as the most popular sell out faster than you can say “A Partridge in a Pear Tree”. The beauty calendars in particular are a great way of saving money on your favourite brands and stocking up on miniatures to travel with, so whether you’re buying for others or treating yourself, here are my favourites to countdown to the big day.
Jo Malone London Always a bestseller, don’t miss out!
Thousands of gifts for everyone this Christmas at
Ice Skating
TURKEY WITH A TWIST
It’s always a tricky call if you’re looking for a venue for a festive gathering – should you go traditional: turkey and all the trimmings and Christmas pudding or stuff the turkey (after all, you’ll get your fill on Christmas Day) and go for something entirely different but equally celebratory?
If you’re in that quandary, there’s another way… Wimbledon gem Bombay Delight has devised a menu and it is as genius as it is delicious. There is turkey and sprouts but with a twist, a light and lovely Christmas pud, and a whole host of other special curries and side dishes that are perfect for a festive treat.
We tried a Bombay butter chicken tart to start: a fusion of cultures that worked brilliantly, with tender rich chicken on a crisp pastry. A soft-shell crab offered great texture with a hum of spice, and a dish of crispy baby corn was a clever idea with deep-fried fingers of corn served on paper with lemon wedges.
Daily Power Defense for Optimum Skin Health
On to the turkey – here, it is served as turkey tikka ballotine with sage and coriander stuffing, buttered Brussels sprouts and makhani gravy. Beautifully presented and delish. Tawa salmon with cumin roast potatoes was another hit.
My favourite main though was the venison angara curry. Another main, butternut squash stuffed with tomato and broccoli khichdi (made with rice and lentils), showed great attention to detail.
Traditionalists can opt for Christmas pudding to finish but you’d be missing out on the wonderful gajar halwa pie – it is incredible, with the sweetened carrot presented in perfect pastry.
What’s more, Bombay Delight is the ideal spot for a festive gathering – with a warm welcome and fun atmosphere. The Christmas menu is £40 for two courses and £45 for three (make sure to pre-book).
Bombaydelight.co.uk
FABULOUS FLAVOURS AT WIMBLEDON FAVOURITE
Celebrated Indian restaurant Bombay Delight rise to new heights
What a year it has been for Bombay Delight! The brilliant Wimbledon-based authentic curry house continues to leap from strength to strength. Earlier this year they won ‘Local Restaurant of the Year’ in the Time & Leisure Food and Culture Awards 2024. Developing on this track of success, they recently snagged ‘Hospitality Business of the Year’ in the Merton Best Business Awards 2024.
They have certainly come far since their extraordinary menu of traditional Indian food arrived in Wimbledon in 2022. Very rapidly the local community recognised what a gem they had on their hands, from the warm and friendly team who are always ready with a smile, to the impeccable customer service they continue to deliver every single day. Of course, it goes without saying that the food proves excellent too: their inventive and authentic menu brings endless culinary joy with truly delicious flavours and outstanding curries.
Ajay Chaurasia, Chef & Owner of Bombay Delight & Mumbai Delight, says: “Bombay Delight has established a strong reputation for its outstanding hospitality and service. Drawing from our rich Indian heritage, we are guided by the principle of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning “the guest is god.” This philosophy is deeply ingrained in every aspect of our operations, ensuring that every guest is welcomed with warmth and treated with the utmost care. It is a
tradition we are committed to upholding as we continue to grow.
Ram and I have worked diligently to bring Bombay Delight to its current success, and we owe this achievement to the dedication of our exceptional team and the steadfast support of our guests. Looking ahead, we remain focused on pursuing excellence and are excited about the prospect of earning further accolades and recognition in the future.”
Try the Christmas Set Menu!
This Christmas, Bombay Delight is the perfect choice for delicate flavours, and punchy
Winner: Hospitality Business of the Year
curries alike. The restaurant and venue can easily cater for small groups to larger festive parties, events and private dining and all with their usual service excellence.
The set menu brings you festive dining with a delicious twist: an exquisite blend of Indian flavours for a Christmas dinner like no other. Enjoy mouth-watering starters of Bombay butter chicken tart with dressed rocket salad, spicy and crunchy soft-shell crab served with sweet & sour coleslaw, and deep fried baby corn marinated with ginger, garlic and lemon juice.
For the mains, you’re certainly not spoiled for choice. Choose from a turkey tikka roulade with sage and coriander stuffing, a grilled salmon darne with cumin roasted potato, smoked venison served with mushroom truffle pulao rice, or a gorgeous stuffed butternut squash served with cherry tomato and broccoli khichdi. This is all served with their signature Dhal Mhakani and Kale Sag Aloo, alongside choices of festive naans.
Make sure to leave room for dessert! Indulge in a Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or a heavenly Gajar Halwa pie with vanilla ice cream.
Bombay Delight
271-273 The Broadway, opp. Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, SW19 1SD, 020 4568 6294, bombaydelight.co.uk, @bombays_delight
Ajay Chaurasia and Ram Singh
